Steering Committee

Conference ChairBrian Statham

Conference Chair

Brian Statham

Brian Statham has ten years of experience as the executive leader of the South African National Energy Association (SANEA), an independent registered company and Non-Profit Organisation, representing corporate and individual members from the diverse energy sectors of South Africa.

Brian was first elected Secretary-General of SANEA in 1999 and was elected to the office of Executive Chairman in March 2007. In addition to his role in SANEA, Brian has been active in World Energy Council initiatives. From 2002 to 2004 he was the convenor of the “Member Secretaries Advisory Group” and from 2004 to 2007 he chaired the WEC Study on “Energy Policy Scenarios to 2050”. Since October 2010 Brian has been appointed Chair of the WEC Studies Committee and is also an officer [director] of the World Energy Council, serving on its Programmes, Communications and Finance committees.

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Managing Director, Nano EnergyJason Schäffler

Managing Director, Nano Energy

Jason Schäffler

Jason Schäffler is an energy project manager and analyst. He is the MD of Nano Energy which, specialises in renewable energy information systems. He has researched the environmental and economic benefits of distributed electricity generation in depth, and is an advocate for renewable energy. He holds a M. Sc. in Energy and Development from and an Honour’s degree in Physics. His work for private, public and other agencies spans from project development, strategy preparation and scenario modelling to project and programme evaluation.

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Energy Advisor to the CEO, NEPAD Agency Prof. M M Elmissiry

Energy Advisor to the CEO, NEPAD Agency

Prof. M M Elmissiry

Senior Energy Advisor, CEO’s Office– NEPAD AgencyProf. Elmissiry joined NEPAD in June 2009 as an energy expert attending to regional energy projects, including electrical, renewable, oil and gas projects. He is currently heading NEPAD’ Energy Programmes and to see to its full implementation. Prof. Elmissiry held many senior positions in the past; among it the position of director of the energy technology institute, industrial research and development centre in Zimbabwe for seven years and Founding Dean of Botswana International University of Science and Technology. He also held a professorial chair in electrical engineering and the position of head of electrical engineering department at the university of Zimbabwe in 2005. He published over hundred papers in refereed journals and conference proceedings and co-authored three books in electrical engineering.

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Secretary General, World Energy CouncilChristoph Frei

Secretary General, World Energy Council

Christoph Frei

Christoph joined the World Energy Council in April 2009. Since 2006 he is also Adjunct Professor of International Energy Policy and Strategy, at the EPfL, Switzerland, and acts as special advisor to the EPfL President for energy related issues.Before joining WEC, Christoph has been Senior Director, Energy Industries & Policy, and Member of Executive Council, World Economic Forum, Geneva (2001-2009). Previously he was a research fellow at Centre for Energy Policy and Economics, EThZ, Zurich and a Lecturer for the Master of Science in Energy Systems, EPfL Lausanne.

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Secretary General, SANEADave Wright

Secretary General, SANEAt

Dave Wright

Dave Wright is the Director of Corporate Planning for Engen Petroleum Ltd which is a refining and marketing oil business that holds the major market share in South Africa and is growing into Sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to moving into his current position, he held two other General Manager/Director positions in Engen i.e. that of Supply Chain and that of Health, Safety, Environment and Quality. He was trained as a chemical engineer and for the first 15 years of his professional life was an academic and researcher in chemical engineering at the University of Natal in Durban (as it was known then). In 1989 he left the academic life to work for Karbochem, running their Process Development group from Sasolburg.In 1991 he joined Engen at the refinery in Durban where he was the Technical Manager for 5 years before moving into strategy development for Engen in Cape Town. In July 2008 he was awarded a SA National Energy Association Education Award and has also been involved in the SA chapter of the World Petroleum Council since 2000. He has held the positions of Treasurer (2002 to 2008) and is the current Chairperson. In 2010 he was appointed to the Board and the Executive Committee of the SA National Energy Association.

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Regional Manager, Africa World Energy CouncilDr Latsoucabé Fall

Regional Manager, Africa World Energy Council

Dr Latsoucabé Fall

Dave Wright is the Director of Corporate Planning for Engen Petroleum Ltd which is a refining and marketing oil business that holds the major market share in South Africa and is growing into Sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to moving into his current position, he held two other General Manager/Director positions in Engen i.e. that of Supply Chain and that of Health, Safety, Environment and Quality. He was trained as a chemical engineer and for the first 15 years of his professional life was an academic and researcher in chemical engineering at the University of Natal in Durban (as it was known then). In 1989 he left the academic life to work for Karbochem, running their Process Development group from Sasolburg.In 1991 he joined Engen at the refinery in Durban where he was the Technical Manager for 5 years before moving into strategy development for Engen in Cape Town. In July 2008 he was awarded a SA National Energy Association Education Award and has also been involved in the SA chapter of the World Petroleum Council since 2000. He has held the positions of Treasurer (2002 to 2008) and is the current Chairperson. In 2010 he was appointed to the Board and the Executive Committee of the SA National Energy Association.

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Managing Director, SiyenzaLiz Hart

Managing Director, Siyenza

Liz Hart

When it comes to eventing, there’s no more reputable name in the industry than Liz Hart. It is Hart who is responsible for not only conceptualising and launching the Africa Energy Indaba in 2009, but also for growing it into Africa’s premiere energy event. It’s the only energy event in Africa that is endorsed, adopted and supported by the World Energy Council (WEC), the largest industry representative association in the world, and is recognised as their official African event. The South African National Energy Association, the largest non-aligned energy advocacy association in Southern Africa, has adopted the event as their annual congress.

Hart has successfully collated events on behalf of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, South African Business Week, the South African Department of Trade and Industry, and has represented South Africa on numerous occasions: At a NEPAD Business Foundation dinner that hosted former President Thabo Mbeki; a formal banquet for former President Mr Nelson Mandela and Mr David Rockefeller; and a private dinner for HRH Princess Anne that was hosted by Mr Tokyo Sexwale. She is also the managing director and co-founder of Siyenza Management, a successful events, marketing, PR and communications agency.

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Director, Norton Rose FulbrightGreg Nott

Director, Norton Rose Fulbright

Greg Nott

Greg Nott is currently Director of Norton Rose. Prior to this, he was the head of Werksman’s African practice. He specialises in African commercial law and has a wealth of expertise in key areas such as energy, infrastructure and commodities in various African countries. With a high profile in the legal fraternity, Mr Nott was instrumental in establishing the South African office of a New York based international law firm over a 10 year period. During this time he was recipient of a number of awards including the prestigious 2010 International Lawyer of the Year Award from the UK-based Legal Business Magazine. His commitment to pro bono work as part of a commercial practice have been highlighted in a diversity of respected global directories. Under his leadership, the firm he headed was recognised as Africa Law Firm of the year by Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business in 2005 and developed a reputation for excellence in projects and energy.

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About Africa Energy Indaba

The Africa Energy Indaba Conference will discuss, debate and seek solutions to enable adequate energy generation across the continent. Delegates, drawn from all continents, represent an unrivalled combination of industry experts, project developers, financiers, energy users, government officials and manufacturers.

Testimonials

Once again the Africa Energy Indaba has proved an invaluable forum for advancing projects and opportunities that are vitally important in keeping the lights on, industry producing, and fuelling continued economic growth in Africa

Scott Brodsky Partner Macfarlanes

You will definitely see us next year or any other potential event this year. I just would like to thank you and Liz and the team. This was the most professional event we have ever been too. Congratulations for hosting such a brilliant event.